Page 57 of Hearts Storm

Killing the engine, I glance at Reyna. She looks exhausted. Dark circles under her eyes, clothes covered in mostly dried mud. But she’s alive. Whole. And that’s all that matters.

“Home sweet home,” I say, trying to lighten the mood.

All she gives me in response is a tired smile.

We climb out and my attention immediately tracks to Logan.

He’s standing near the back of the bay, arms crossed, jaw set so tight I can almost see the muscle ticking from here.

When his eyes lock onto Reyna, something dark and possessive flashes across his face. Then his gaze swings to me, and if looks could kill, I’d instantly be six feet under.

Reyna doesn’t seem to notice. She’s too busy grabbing her bag from the back seat, wincing as she hoists it over her shoulder. No doubt the bump on the back of her head is bothering her more than she led me to believe.

The crew gives Logan a wide berth as he strides toward us.

He stops, eyes raking over Reyna from head to toe, taking in the mud, the exhaustion, the way she’s favoring her left side. His nostrils flare, and I can practically see the steam coming out of his ears.

“What the hell happened out there?” he demands, his voice a low growl.

“Tree fell,” I say. “We were heading back after investigating one of the cabins when a huge pine gave way. We barely got clear in time.”

Logan’s gaze snaps to me, green eyes blazing. “Barely?”

“By a couple of feet,” I continue, keeping my tone even. “Reyna took a hard hit when I tackled her out of the way. She’s got a small bump on the back of her head, but her pupils are good. No nausea or dizziness.”

Shoving his hands into his pockets, Logan turns back to Reyna, voice dangerously soft.

“Go get yourself cleaned up and into a hot shower. Now.” He doesn’t wait for her response before pivoting back to me. “Both of you, in my office in twenty minutes. I want Dave to give her a full medical assessment.”

When Reyna opens her mouth to argue, Logan narrows his eyes with a glare that immediately shuts her down. With a resigned nod, she walks away, mud squelching in her boots.

“Lo—” I start, but he cuts me off with a sharp wave of his hand.

“My office. Twenty minutes.” Shoulders rigid, he turns on his heel and stalks away.

As Reyna disappears around the corner, I head to the locker room, mind racing as I strip off my muddy clothes.

Logan’s reaction isn’t surprising. His intensity towards her just proves what I already know. My best friend is wound tighter than a drum over her, and she’s the key that could either unravel him or snap him in two.

After a quick shower, I throw on a pair of sweats and a T-shirt and make my way to Logan’s office. As I approach, I see the door is open a crack, and I can hear him talking adamantly on the phone.

“—just don’t know what the hell to do,” he states. “Izzy. A fucking tree almost crushed her and Brex! If he hadn’t grabbed her and tossed her out of the way…”

There’s a few seconds of silence as he listens to his twin.

“I know it’s her job, damn it. But I⁠—”

More silence.

“I told you, I can’t.” He lets out a long-suffering sigh. “I’m her boss.”

I lean against the wall and listen with a knowing grin on my face. Dude’s got it bad.

Movement catches my attention out of the corner of my eye, and I push off the wall as Reyna turns the corner and heads my way.

Hair still damp and hanging loose around her shoulders, she’s changed into leggings and an oversized T-shirt. She looks exhausted; her skin pale except for an angry red mark I hadn’t noticed before slashed across her cheek.

“How are you feeling?” I ask, giving her a quick once-over. She seems steady enough, but I can’t help the protective surge that makes me want to reach for her and wrap her in the safety of my arms.